Fly to Bergen from the US with SAS

Guide to Bergen

Surrounded by hills and fjords, Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. A “big” city with only 272.000 inhabitants on the west coast of Norway. Visit Bergen and you'll be charmed by its majestic scenery, colorful wooden houses and numerous cultural attractions and historic sites. From the city views at the top of Mount Fløyen to the picturesque buildings at Bryggen, Bergen combines stunning natural beauty with a dynamic cultural and historical perspective, making the city a popular travel destination for the whole family.

Highlights of Bergen: Fløibanen funicular

After you travel to Bergen, the place to go, for a spectacular view of Bergen, is the Fløibanen funicular which travels to the top of Mount Fløyen. The ride up in the cable car is just as exhilarating as the view! From the top, there are a number of scenic hiking trails that lead into the forest, past several lakes, as well as back down the mountain to the scenic harbor. Make sure to grab a quick lunch at the harbor, a smoked salmon baguette or a pound of freshly caught shrimp, before you stroll on another adventure into the old city.

Highlights of Bergen: Bryggen

Another must see is the historic wharf at Bryggen it¨s the site of Bergen's original settlements.The origins of Bergen can be traced back to the year 1030, when the Vikings settled here. Walk along the harbor here and you'll find reconstructed old wooden buildings as well as small shops and cozy galleries tucked in between. After buying your souvenirs for the family back home, here why not go to the Bryggen Museum, which features exhibits that highlight life in Bergen around the 1300s, including medieval pottery, bones, Viking runes and tools. Bryggen has been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1979.

Bergen Museums and festivals for the whole family

People all over the world travel to Bergen, as it is, a cultural center in the region, Bergen is home to numerous museums and arts festivals. The Bergen Art Museum houses paintings from international and Norwegian artists such as Munch, Klee, Miró, Picasso and Kandinsky. The kids can learn about Viking history and Norway's seafaring background at the Maritime Museum or you can visit the house where composer Edvard Grieg and his wife would spend their summers.

Throughout the year, Bergen hosts a number of arts festivals, including the Bergen International Festival, the largest arts festival in the Nordic countries. If you enjoy modern music, the annual Bergenfest music festival features local and international bands performing in different venues across the city.

In the center of Bergen, you will find the Fish Market. It's a great place to pick up lunch. Seafood comes in many varieties. Try a baguette with smoked salmon - or why not buy half a kilo of freshly boiled shrimp? You can eat at the market, but I usually take a stroll down to the pier where it's a bit more quiet.Tor, pilot